Archive for May 24th, 2010

Brockton, MA — Only eight times in the Northeastern Midget Association’s 58-year old history has a driver won the first two races of a season. Chris Leonard hopes to make it nine when NEMA returns to action Saturday night (May 29) at Monadnock Speedway.

The “Lites” will be on hand as well as NEMA gets back into action after a long layoff. Leonard was the winner way back on March 28 at Waterford Speedbowl.

The Pelham, NH product hopes to join an impressive group that includes two-time defending champion Randy Cabral. The popular Cabral drove Tim Bertrand’s #47 to victory in the first two races of 2008 and ’09.

Lady Luck Shines as Hometown Driver and Crew Chief Make NASCAR History

Loudon, NH — The sun may not have been shining, but lady luck sure was smiling down on Joey Logano, who became the youngest driver ever to win a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, when he took a soggy checkered flag at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in 2009. A fitting first win too, because NHMS is his hometown track.

Logano, a Middletown, Conn. native watched his first race at the “Magic Mile,” made his first Sprint Cup Series start here, and as fate would have it won his first race in NASCAR’s top series at NHMS.

With a risky, but brilliant pit strategy led by a fellow New Englander, Crew Chief Greg Zipadelli, the No. 20 team was able to fight back from a blown tire and lead the pack when it counted the most.

Stafford Springs, CT — Following post race technical inspection from the May 21st NASCAR Whelen All-American Series feature events at Stafford Motor Speedway, the following change has been made to the official SK Modified® order of finish.

Unofficial SK Modified® third place finisher Ryan Preece was penalized for a rules infraction. Preece’s car did not meet the minimum frame height requirement and he was penalized from his finishing position of 3rd place to the last place finishing position of 25th.

Loudon, NH — When Bruton Smith, Chairman and CEO of Speedway Motorsports Inc., bought New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Directors Terry Kirk and Todd Beaulieu of Nelcar knew this could be their step in the door to get Legends at the most popular racetrack in New England, New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Through many talks with the Speedway and hosting a Legends booth during NASCAR weekends, they were making progress into getting Legends on the famed racetrack.

Now, two years later, the goal has been accomplished with the first ever Legends Car race at NHMS. It was held on the 1.6 mile road course during the popular Vintage Celebration weekend. For 15 laps, 16 of the best Legends Car drivers in New England took to the course, many with no prior road racing experience. With the difficulty of many shifting points and turning both left and right, the drivers quickly adapted to the challenges and put on a great show.

During practice, which doubled as qualifying as well, for many drivers it was only their first time turning right in a race car. While the tracks unique layout was tough on the drivers, there were only a few incidents throughout practice and the drivers were all confident that they were well enough adapted to the road racing to put on a good 15 lap show. When the second round of practice was over, it was the 399 of Bob Weymouth who ran the quickest time through practice and would start his car from the pole position.

Naples, ME — Johnny Clark charged from deep in the field and made his way past race leader Richie Dearborn on lap 111 to capture the win in Saturday night’s Pro All Stars Series 150 at North Woodstock New Hampshire’s White Mountain Motorsports Park. The defending series champion started the event in 17th and did a masterful job of working his way to the front without much help from the caution flag. It was Clark’s first ever win at White Mountain, a track that he has tried to conquer for twelve seasons.

Louie Mechalides made a successful return to PASS with a second place run and early leader Trevor Sanborn had to settle for third. Mike and Ben Rowe were fourth and fifth respectively.

It looked like series veteran Richie Dearborn might pick up where he left off last fall at White Mountain, the site of his last PASS victory. Dearborn snatched the lead from pole sitter Randy Turner on lap two and looked comfortable out in front for over fifty laps until Trevor Sanborn charged to the lead. Sanborn led at the half way mark with Dearborn in close pursuit, but Johnny Clark was already lurking in third after a hard charge up the outside to get in contention. Mechalides was riding in fourth with Ben Rowe fifth.

Waterford, CT — Waterford Speedbowl is ready for a blockbuster Memorial Day celebration, hosting four events in five days over the coming week. It all starts with ‘Wild ‘n Wacky Wednesday’ on May 26 and continues with a special edition of ‘The Show and Go at the ‘Bowl’ on Friday, May 28. It wraps up with back-to-back evenings of extremes on Saturday and Sunday, May 29 and 30. Extreme speed will be on display Saturday when the ISMA Supermodifieds return for their first New England appearance of 2010. Sunday evening’s Memorial Day Madness showcases all the thrills and spills any family needs to close out their holiday weekend with a smash. Affordable family fun is a common theme during the week, as always with the ‘Bowl.

‘Wild ‘n Wacky Wednesday’ action has already heated up this year, providing fans with the affordable racing entertainment the night has become known for. Fifteen year old Anthony Flannery is undefeated in Legends Cars racing on Wednesdays and is the current championship point leader. The Super X-Car and X-Car divisions have staged great battles in their early season events, often featuring late race lead changes and exciting two and three wide racing. The action begins at 7:00pm on May 26, with gates opening at 5:30pm. Adult admission is just $7 with all youth 14 and under absolutely free to make for the most affordable family entertainment outing the region has to offer.

Former drivers, officials and fans of the Westboro Speedway gathered at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Westboro for the third reunion on Saturday. Although 25 years have passed since the final checkered flag fell on Westboro, people still recall fondly their Saturday nights spent at the historic Rt. 9 speedplant.

Before the sound of horsepower was silenced by urban sprawl for a shopping center, Westboro Speedway operated between 1947-1985. Originally built for Midget racing, the high-banked 1/4 mile oval saw its first race on August 5, 1947 when Joe Sostilio picked up the Midget win. Until the track closed in September 1985, the track hosted open wheel Modifieds, Mini Modifieds, Supermodifieds and Stock Cars.

Many hall of fame drivers were successful at Westboro throughout its storied history. A showcase venue for Midgets, stars like Bert Brooks, Joe Csiki and Dave Humphrey all excelled there. Racers from the dangerous Cutdown era included Red Bolduc, Red Cummings, Hop Harrington, Fred Luchesi. Fred Borden was the all-time winner there. A staple of the Modified circuit for many seasons, victory lane saw Ronnie Bouchard, Fats Caruso, Leo Cleary, George Savary, Fred Schulz, and Bugs Stevens win on many occasions.

Westboro’s place in history is secure as longtime owner and promoter John Falconi, Sr. is a NEAR Hall of Fame inductee along with some of the drivers and owners that made “The Fastest Quarter-Mile in the East” their home for many years.